Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-01-19

bY the chief engineer. In discussing this ques-
tion, We are not talking of line from Blacks to
Rock Hill. but from the Ohio Valley to the At
lantic Ocean-a great through route on which
it is important to maintain equal grading, and
to,interrupt this line with grade Of l05 feet,
as would be the case OH the "direct route,
would be suicidal and would destroy the utility
of the line. The introduction of grade heavier
than the proposed minimum of so feet would in
jure the road and the people, and would soon
come into disrcpute. The distance from York
vile to Blacks is link in great through line.
The company building the road cannot afford to
adopt the line that has been surveyed. By the
way of Hickory Grove the maximum grade can
be maintained, but it is true it will necessitate
the building Of a miles more of track, yet that
is better in order to maintain the gradient.
Representatives Of the company now come be-
fore you and say to the people of York, although
we did agree to that route, yet we now find that
we cannot come on it without destroying the
value of our property. They put on this a calcu-
lation that every mile saved is worth $1,000
The Al miles additional, by another route, would
increase your taxable values S27 900, which the
company take upon themselves for all time to
come. If they can afford to do that, it may be
asked, why not spend the necessary amount in
building the direct line? The answer is, the in
jury it would give to the business of the road.
The road will run through the county about 60
miles, costing S5O,O0O, for road and equipment,
and Of this amount the county is asked to ex-
pend S2ls,O0O. While the county is asked to ex-'
pend l6 per cent. Of the amount to build the
road. foreign capital to the extent of "a per cent.
is furnished. The speaker then showed that at
the assessed value of railroads in this State, ~
miles Of road in this county would add S15O,0OO
to the taxable values, which at II mills would
yield Sl1 $50 of taxes, on the assumption OF a
single track, while he believed the road would
Become double track, when its taxable value
would be doubled. He then spoke at some
length of the beneficial effects upon communi-
ty of railroads, instancing the growth and i'm
provement of the country through which the
Air Line, which he built, passes, and concluded
by saying that he was not present to antagonlze
any interest," but he felt that it would be mis-
taken and short sighted policy on the part OF
the people not to give the company their option
of the line on which to build.
Col. Frank Coke, president OF the company,
was next called. He said he was present not to
make speech, but more for the purpose OF form
ing the acquaintance of the people with whom IN
his capacity as president Of this corporation he
hoped to have much pleasant intercourse he
said he supposed he had been honored with the
presidency Of the company more on account OF
the fact that he is southern man than any re-
commendation he might have as railroad build
er. But am present to tell you what you may
wish to hear. The building Of this road is GER
tainty. Within thirty days, if the weather per-
mits, we will haye corps Of hands at work IN
this county. We have themoney toput the work
through. We come here not to attempt 10 force
you to measures, but to discuss this question as
men of business. If it is found to be impossl
BILE to build on the "direct route" think you
should consent to our having preference. he
then spoke in an encouraging manner OF the
prospects of the road, the success which the COM
pany has met in North Carolina, and renewed
his assurance that the road will be built, but its
location will be determined by the subscriptions
voted.
Gen. ]. r. Wilder, of Chattanooga, Tenn. vice.
president of the company next addressed the
meeting. He is largely interested in the iron
manufacturing business, and confined his re-
marks mainly to that industry and the vast
mineral wealth along the line ofthis road. Since
his arrival here he has visited the old Cherokee
iron ore beds, with which he is tavorably inn
pressed, as also the granite quarries near York
ville especially the quarry OF Maj. T. P. White
sides, the granite Of which he pronounces the
equal of any he has ever seen. AS to the pros
poets of the road, Gen. Wilder said the money is
now put up with which to build it and it Will be
built as fast as money can do it. AS to its loca-
ton, it is for you to judge whether you Will be
on the line or not.
Col r. A. Johnson, general manager, was next
invited to address the meeting. He gave the
history of the road from its inception to the pres
ent tme and as to the agreement to build the
road on the "direct route" he frankly stated his
connection with that transaction, though 1t was
done without any knowledge ofthe nature OF the
route, except upon representations made to him
by Mr.. Jones, Of the engineer corps, before Capt.
Ramsaur had exhibited to him (Col. Johnson)
the profile of the survey. He then recited the
ldCCS pertaining W SuDSCllpllOLS NoeSlh Wy
the several townships, and said what we now ask
is that you shall petition the county commits
soners for q new election to decide whether or
not THE $4,000 subserihsEsAbN York township
may not be transferred to a more practicable
route.
Senator Butler next addressed the meeting.
He said railroads are not built so much now by
soeech making as they were thirty years ago.
Iie explained his connection with the company,
which is in the capacity Of director, and pass
irr 70 fh0 p,oin
he said it is one to be passed upon by the people
themselves. If the December survey is imprac-
ticable, he thought the company should be per-
mitted to select route adapted to their pur-
poses. He said the road will be built, and in
making the financial arrangements for that pur-
pose, it had afforded him pleasure to assure
Northern capitalists that there is no spirit OF
Reputation among our people and that ne be-
lieved they. would squarely meet any o9i1ga.c
ton they might vote upon themselves in aid OF
this enterprise. He said it had long been his
ambition to see railroad built through this
State crossing the Blue Ridge and depicting the
great advantages to result from such line,
he congratulated the people Of York county that
it is to pass through their county. The Senator
then "deflected" from the direct question and ad-
dressed himself to various subjects pertaining
to the industrial welfare of the people, his re-
marks eliciting frequent applause.
~>At the conclusion of his address the form of
petition, which the property holders of the
township were requested to sign, was handed
to the secretary and read as follows:
SOUTH CAROLINA, YORK COUNTY.
TO the Honorable the County Commissioners Of
York County: The undersigned freeholders OF
York township,in in said county, respectfully rep
/. That at an authorized election held at York
vile, in said township, on the 18th day of March,
1886, said township authorized your Honorable
Board, as their agents. to subscribe to the Charles
ton, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad Company
the sum of seventy-fve thousand dollars, in
bonds Of said township, in aid Of the construc-
ton of said road through said township from
Bla&S's to Yorkville, conformingto line known
as TIE "direct survey" made in December, 1885.
g That on the 18th day OF April, 1885, your
Honorable Board, pursuant to the conditions
and result of said election, subscribed said sum
of seyenty-tive thousand dollars, in bonds as
aforesaid to said Railroad Company, and exc
cuted and delivered the same to a trustee, to be
held for delivery when the conditions Of SUBJ
scription were complied with.
3. And whereas, it has been ascertained that
the construction of a railroad by the "dlrect
survey aforesaid is impractcable, by reason
of the nature of the country, and the undersign-
ed are desrous that the said road should be
constructed through said township, in order
that the people may enjoy the great advantages
to be derived therefrom: Now they respectfnl-
ly petition
That an election be ordered by your honorable
board at their first meeting after the presenta-
tieH Of this petitioa signatures
of the majority of the freeholders, of York
township, submitting to the qualified voters of
said township the question Of modifying the
conditions of said subscription, pursuant to an
Act ratified December "a, 1850 so as to permit
said railroad company to build its road by any
other practicable line between Blacks and York
Vile, by the way of Broad River township,
and transferring the subscription voted upon
the 18th day of March, 1886. and subscribed the
2Sth day of April, 1886 by said township, to any
practicable line by way Of Broad River town
shin: Provided, In the event q majority of the
,..EInr 49,, o,,t bo IN tLa affirmative NorEvil1e